Hilo
Hilo
That day we ended up driving around the entire Big Island. If you’ve been to other Hawaiian islands but not this one, you might not think it’s a big deal, but the Big Island is twice the size of all the other Hawaiian islands combined. With a land mass of 4,028 square miles, it’s about as big as Connecticut. It is 92 miles long and 76 miles wide…. and still growing..
The photos and video above were taken on our drive, going to Hawaiian Volcanoes National Park, then northeast to Hilo, and then back up to our resort on the northwest side of the island.
I was happy to see that as we drove south from Kona over to the park and then up to Hilo, and north up the coast on the eastern side of the island, that the environment was much more lush and tropical. In fact, with 126 – 200 inches of rainfall every year, Hilo is the wettest city in the United States and one of the wettest in the world. This is such a stark contrast to the Kohala Coast, where our resort was situated.
I read that the Big Island is the most ecologically diverse of the islands. The environments there range from desert plains to rain forests to snowcapped mountains. It’s said that there are 13 climatic regions on earth and the Big Island has all but two, the Arctic and the Saharan. It was a long drive that day, but we broke it up and I was glad to be able to see so much of the Big Island.
View Big Island Drive in a larger map
Sources: aloha-hawaii.com, About.com, Wikipedia, NY Times.
I have to ask..did you gain like 20 pounds on this trip? I took an 18 day cruise last year and while I easily gain weight if I’m not careful, I ran 6 miles every day and ate well, but chose the healthiest option possible (sometimes among not that many healthy options). I came away weighing the same thing I weighed when I left, which tells me that running made the difference.
Other than a few ancillary hiking trips and a couple of mentions of trips to the gym, I see no evidence of either of you seeking out opportunities to exercise. Add to it that at nearly every meal you ate something I’d only eat on a rare occasion, I just wonder.
No, I was afraid I would. In hindsight, I wouldn’t recommend anyone get married on their 10th day of vacation! The dress fit great, but I did feel a little bloated. When I got home it was about the same. I mean, my weight fluctuates a few pounds week to week, day to day, so I’m not 100% sure, but it was less than 5 pounds and pretty much back to normal now, a few weeks after vacation.
We did eat different than we eat here. We’re more strict at home, but to be fair, we were eating a ton of fish there. I ate salads. Those just are not that interesting to post about! ha. I think really, it was the drinking. Also, in Honolulu I was going to the gym every day, so I think that helped. I packed my exercise band and a workout from my old trainer, but didn’t do it much after we left Oahu.
Thank you for the reply. I felt terrible all day that my message came across in a harsh way and I was upset that I was neglectful in mentioning that you were such a beautiful bride. The shot of you looking at yourself in the mirror just after your hair and makeup were done was stunning. I also absolutely love the shot of you in the airport in your lei.
I thought it was SO hard. I went on my cruise having just lost 40 lbs over 2 years and was so freaked, but I totally enjoyed the trip from a food and drink standpoint. I’d always rather skip a course for a glass of wine and I’m not a sweet tooth in the least…but I clearly make it up in wine on a night out or nice night in of any kind.
All the best to you and Dallas. You are lovely and your photography and knack for recounting events is extraordinary, and I apologize for (accidentally) seeming like an ass.
Thanks for your follow up – I did take it the wrong way at first, but it’s a sensitive issue for me! When I reread it I realized you probably were just wondering. I know what a struggle it can be and no matter how much I prep myself for vacation, I mostly lose all my good habits there!
Thanks for the well wishes!